The Yreka Miners volleyball team lost in the Northern Section Division 4 title game Saturday afternoon in Red Bluff. Yreka fell to West Valley in three sets 18-25,15-25, 22-25.

While disappointed with the loss, head coach Scott Eastman said that his team has much to be proud of.

"I think we played well," he said. "We just played a better team."

The Eagles won all its section playoff games in three sets, with Yreka the only team to score more than 20 points in a set, Eastman said, After being down two sets to none, Eastman liked the way his team battled in the third set before losing the set and the game. A key reason, Eastman said, was West Valley scoring 11 points in one rotation. Last season, the Eagles were shocked by the Miners in the section semifinals last season. Earlier this year, West Valley downed the Miners in four sets.

"We competed hard but they (West Valley) did not back down," he said.

This is the second year in a row the Miners had made it to the section title game. The Miners have had achieved a number of accomplishments this season. Yreka earned a co-share of the Northern Athletic League title since 1989, are 29-8 so far, and earned a berth in the CIF State Division 4 NorCal Championships. On Sunday, it was announced the Miners would face St. Patrick/St. Vincent of Vallejo on Tuesday night on the road starting at 7 p.m. The Bruins are 34-5 overall. Yreka, the No. 5 seed, upset top seeded Sutter in five sets on Thursday to earn a berth in the title game. West Valley was the No. 2 seed.

Ashley Ensminger had four kills and five blocks. Lacie Landrum finished with 11 kills. Emily Andrus, Katie Brummett and Justine Cota each finished with four kills, Eastman said.

Eastman said that he is proud of the way his team worked together as an unit all season, have shown great sportsmanship and have played the game the right way.